Phinda reaches the pinnacle of excellence when it comes to guiding. The &Beyond company have always considered this a priority (also under its previous name CCAfrica) and I can’t fault it. Good guiding is so often lacking, so it’s such a pleasure to get guides that not only know their stuff (anyone can regurgitate facts)...
Life’s a Journey – these are words that epitomise my thoughts on life and were used by a young American man, Adam Shepard, when describing his attitude to life. On his agenda was a journey around the world. It’s nothing new, but he did it with consciousness and a message that he shared in his book ‘One Year Lived’...
I wanted to share this beautiful lion I encountered at Hlane Game Reserve in Swaziland. Take a look at his expression – he’s cross! He took offence at the maintenance guys on the back of a truck and was stalking them. We, on the other hand, were in a safari vehicle with netted sides, so the lion didn’t see...
As you read this, I’m on the Ultimate Safari Road Trip in KwaZulu Natal and Swaziland. Both these areas are strongly influenced by their cultures; the proud and beautiful Zulu’s of KZN and the gentle Swazi Kingdom full of tradition and tribal customs. You’ll be able to read my reviews of reserves and accommodation very...
This morning Nick More, 45, co-owner and CEO of the award-winning Lion Sands game lodges in Sabi Sand Reserve near Kruger, died in a helicopter accident. He was piloting the helicopter en-route for a meeting in Johannesburg with three passengers, all of whom were killed. Read my favourable review of Lion Sands Ivory Lodge here. Nick was a leading...
Africa’s first specialist, dedicated, non‐commercial centre to care for baby rhinos opened at the Wildlife & Cultural Centre at Legend Golf & Safari Resort in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. See more about The Rhino Orphanage on Facebook .
I watched Dereck and Beverly Joubert’s amazing film ‘The Last Lions’ at a trade showing last year and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house – certainly not mine! I write about African safari but didn’t know that lions are endangered in the wild. Their extraordinary film shot in Botswana showed otherwise. Best Director of...
“There is no game in the green season…….!” This is a phrase used about Zambia’s Luangwa Game Reserves in the green season, but “It’s simply is not true!” says Christina Carr of Norman Carr Safaris. The Green Season covers the months from January to March, when the summer rains turn everything green, the bush it at...
At last! Wilderness Safaris, who own or run around 50 safari lodges in Botswana, Namibia, Malawi, Zambia, Kenya, South Africa and now even Congo, plus luxurious North Island in the Seychelles, have realized that the domestic market is worth courting. To rectify this long-standing policy of pretty much ignoring the locals, they threw an enormous party for...
I think it’s time to re-visit Malawi! I’ve written about the dream destination Mumbo Island in the middle of Lake Malawi, but haven’t been anywhere else in Malawi. This feels like a good year to go. Why? Because Malawi has just been crowned runner-up in The 2013 Safari Awards’ “Best Africa Tourist Board” category –...
Congratulations to Cape Grace in Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront for gaining Number 2 Best Hotel in the World 2013 as voted by Trip Advisor Travellers. I have vested interest because I write the blog for Cape Grace. Take a look…. it’s about anything to do with Cape Town, food, wine, events, local artists, places to...
Seasoned travellers will be interested in the Odzala Wilderness Camps in the Odzala-Kokoua National Park of the remote north of the Republic of Congo’s river basin – the world’s second largest expanse of tropical rainforest. Wilderness Safaris run lodges in several south and east African countries and have an ethos that should satisfy the most discerning eco-traveller. In...
